Chapter Five: Blooming Feelings

Things didn't get easier, despite the Elder's orders. Leslie spent her days in the castle within her room. Sometimes Alec and Felix would come visit, but they had other duties when they were not servicing as guardsmen. The night time hours were the ones she cherished most, especially on the occasion when Alec could get away to visit. Tonight, for instance, he had taken her out of the castle to watch some fireworks.

"They're going to be pretty mad when they find out, aren't they?"

"Not really. I asked permission." Alec glanced over at her. His face was serious. "They've been talking about what to do about you. You know, when you're older."

"R-really?" Leslie wasn't sure she wanted to hear what they'd been thinking. "Do they... want to make me one of you?"

"Some of us want that, yes. The Elders are on the fence about it." He turned to face her completely. "What do you want?"

"I...I don't know anymore. I thought I wanted to go home, and forget this whole terrible nightmare." Leslie looked up at him. "But then I'd have to forget the best part of it all."

Alec's mouth twitched into a small smirk. It wasn't unkind. "You are either completely crazy, or very foolish." He paused, glancing up at the sky. "But I am glad you've changed your mind about me." He stood up, holding his hand out for hers. "We should get back. It's late for you."

"It's alright. I'm not tired." Leslie stood anyway. "I have nothing to go home to, Alec. There are things... I'm sure that Aro knows about me, that you don't."

"Oh?" Alec started walking with her. He didn't take her back towards Volterra castle though. "What happened?"

"I've been living in foster care for most of my life." She glanced at him. "You know what that is, right?"

"Yes." Alec's face tightened a bit. "You have no parents of your own?"

"No. They're in prison." Leslie looked at the ground. "I started reading those books last year, when I having a lot of trouble coping with my current family. I wanted very much for all of you... to be real. Though, I was smart enough to realize how dangerous that would have been."

"And now?" Alec cupped her chin in her hand. "You wish we weren't?"

"No. I'm... happy. I just... it's just a lot to deal with. It must be so easy, when you don't really have to worry about being tired, or needing sleep."

"They understand. You know that they have lightened your errands." Alec looked her in the eyes. "I could take care of the pain, but then you wouldn't be able to move at all. I wish I had a middle ground for my gifts..."

"I wish you didn't have them." Leslie replied. "Then they couldn't have such a tight hold on you."

"What do you mean?" Alec released her. His expression was suddenly dark. "I could leave if I wanted to. I just don't want Jane to be alone."

"That's crazy. Jane could care less about you, Alec. I know she's your sister, but she doesn't act very much like one, at all. She just does what she wants. Even in the books, it was blatantly obvious who the favorite was."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Alec's voice was suddenly cold. "You don't have a family, so you wouldn't understand anything about family loyalty."

"Alec, that's not what I meant. I also know that there are others in the guard that have gifts besides you and Jane. Chelsea, for one. Maybe she's the one invoking this argument at Jane's request. But what if Chelsea was making you loyal?"

"I love my sister, Leslie. I don't always approve of what she does, but I do love her. I have loved her since before we were vampires. Chelsea couldn't fathom the kind of relationship we have."

"Does Jane love you still, Alec?" Leslie asked now. She had to try and make him understand what she was seeing. "I see a girl that is content to hurt anyone that gets in the way of what she wants. What if you're just one of those pawns, Alec? She wants to be on equal footing with the Elders. Why do you think she's so eager to do everything Aro says? She doesn't include you in that plan, does she?"

"That's none of your business." Now he sounded irritated. "Come now. We have to go back."

"Okay." Leslie let the subject drop. "Listen, I'm sorry... I just... I don't know. There's something about Jane that just rubs me the wrong way. It has nothing to do with what she's done to me. I'm afraid for you, though, Alec. She might do something to hurt you because of me."

"The good thing is that my gift counteracts hers." Alec paused before they turned on the path towards their entrance to Volterra castle. "Leslie, there's something you should know."

The girl blinked. "Yeah?"

"I wasn't one of those who wanted this life for you. I... I care for you, just as you are. If I had my way, I'd release you tonight." He turned towards the entrance. "Come. It's getting later the longer we stay out."

Leslie wasn't sure how to react to his proclaimation. She swallowed a lump that formed in her throat. She felt tears spring to her eyes. She didn't understand it. She had been under the assumption that Alec wanted her around. "Okay." Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Jane glared at Alec when he entered their room. "She wouldn't love you if she knew the real you."

"Well, I know she doesn't love you." Alec smirked slightly. "She's absolutely terrified of you."

"Good. That's how it should be. She should fear you too. You've gone soft with her. Why? It's not like the Elders are going to let you keep her around."

"Don't talk of her like she's a pet, Jane." Alec replied. He sounded weary. "Leslie and I are just friends. That's all."

"Lies." Jane hissed. "She loves you. I don't mean in that older brother figure way. She really loves you."

Alec blinked, slipping out of his robe. "That ridiculous. She is not foolish enough to fall for a vampire. She understands the consequences of that." Though, that does explain a few other things. "It has to be a simple crush."

"It's not a crush." Jane folded her arms. "And I think you love her too."

Alec turned to face Jane now. His sister had a look of pure disgust on her face. He wanted to laugh it off, but he couldn't. Jane had nailed his uncertain feelings down for him. "So what if I do?"

"So you're admitting it?" Jane raised an eyebrow. "Unbelievable. You are not the brother you used to be. She's bewitched you."

"Don't be silly, Jane." Alec replied lightly. "Leslie's just an ordinary human girl. She has no magic, nor any secret abilities. She is simply kind, and open minded. Do you know that she actually understands, and appreciates vampires?"

"Ugh! I don't want to hear it! I'll make sure that she resents you!"

"Jane, that's not a good idea." Alec growled. "She needs someone, Jane. Do you have any idea what this must be like for her?"

"No, nor do I care! She's becoming quite the annoyance for me. I want her gone! I'll make sure she's destroyed." Before Alec could protest further, Jane left their room. Sensing that Jane was about to suggest something horrible to the Elders, Alec hurried to follow her.